11012026-LT-01.qxd 1/11/2026 12:52 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune JARKHAR SPORTS FEST TO BEGIN ON FEB 13 I'M NOT A WAR MOVIE JUNKIE: SRIRAM RAGHAVAN RIGHT NOW I’M FOCUSING ON WRITING, SAYS PURAB 38th edition of Jarkhar Sports Festival, known as rural mini Olympics,will begin on February 13, officials said. P2 The director of Ikkis says war for him is just a backdrop to depict what soldiers go through. P4 Purab, who is basking in praise for The Great Shamsuddin Family, talks about his life and career. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 17°C | MIN 7°C YESTERDAY MAX 16°C | MIN 6°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.38 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 7:20 AM » SUNDAY | 11 JANUARY 2026 | LUDHIANA Gunmen fire at luxury car rental showroom, leave slips bearing names of gangsters One of owners denies receiving any extortion call; bullets hit vehicles, main door Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Bizman threatened at gunpoint in gangsters’ name Ludhiana, January 10 A sensational case of extortion has come to light in the Katani Kalan area, where a businessman was allegedly threatened at gunpoint by suspects claiming to have ties with notorious gangsters. The latter reportedly threatened to kidnap the victim’s kin if extortion money was not paid. As per inspector Paramveer Singh, SHO, Koom Kalan police station, a formal complaint was lodged by Harjeet Singh, a local brick-kiln owner. Harjeet alleged that the primary suspect, Gursharan Singh, alias Sharna, along with three unidentified masked accomplices, who were armed with pistols, intercepted him near a brick-kiln on Friday. The victim said Gursharan allegedly threatened him, stating that his business was flourishing and that “gangsters” had sent a message, demanding protection money (extortion). The suspects warned that if the demands were not met, Harjeet and his cousin, Jaspreet Singh, would be killed. The matter reportedly stems from a financial loan dating back to 2023. Harjeet’s cousin, Jaspreet, and a friend had borrowed Rs 55 lakh from Gursharan. With interest, the amount swelled to Rs 87 lakh. To clear the debt, Jaspreet sold his brick-kiln and plots. Despite the repayment, Gursharan allegedly began demanding an additional Rs 1 crore, claiming the money was for “gangsters.” Harjeet intervened to mediate after the family became distressed by threats that Jaspreet’s children would be kidnapped. A settlement was reached at Rs 65 lakh, to be paid in interest-free installments of Rs 5 lakh. Harjeet had recently paid an installment. Following Harjeet’s complaint, the police filed a case against Gursharan and his three unidentified accomplices. “Raids are on to nab the suspects. They will be behind bars soon,” the SHO said. — TNS Cops inspect the crime scene outside the car rental showroom in Ludhiana; and (right) a bullet mark on a vehicle. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN were seized by the police. The firing caused panic among showroom employees and customers who were present during the incident. However, no injuries were reported. Following the incident, the Mullanpur police, led by DSP Varinder Singh Khosa, reached the scene and initiated a probe. Preliminary police inquiries suggest the incident might be linked to extortion attempt. The DSP said though the slips naming gangsters were found outside the showroom, one of the owners had denied receiving any extortion call. “The investigation is on to determine the motive behind the firing,” he said. Khosa said so far, a case under the Arms Act and on other charges was registered against gangsters Pawan Shaukeen and Mohabbat Randhawa. “Since the slips bearing names of the two gangsters were found outside the show- room, suspecting their involvement a case was registered against both of them on the complaint of one of the showroom owners. Still, the police will verify if the gangsters were really behind the firing or some other criminal elements tried to misguide the police by throwing the slips. Gangster Shaukeen and Mohabbat are notorious gangsters, who are facing several cases of heinous crimes. Both were recently found behind several firing incidents reported in the state,” he said. Suspect carried guns in both hands CCTV footage shows that the two-motorcycle borne suspects had stopped the bike outside the showroom. The pillion rider carrying firearms in both hands went near the office and opened fire. Police officials believed that the shooter might be a professional criminal as he used both hands to fire the shots. Party leaders raise slogans, submit memo to officials Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 10 Senior leaders and supporters of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) on Saturday staged a dharna at the Mini-Secretariat, protesting against former Delhi Chief Minister and senior AAP leader Atishi for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the Sikh Gurus during a Delhi Vidhan Sabha session. Besides, the SAD leaders raised slogans against the AAP government and its leaders for allegedly playing with the religious sentiments of Sikhs. Referring to certain pictures that went viral, the leaders alleged that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was seen spilling drops of liquor on photographs of “Guru Sahiban”. The leaders, who gathered in large numbers, raised slogans and later submitted a memorandum to officials. Senior SAD leader Maheshinder Singh Grewal said AAP leaders were playing with the religious sentiments of Sikhs and must seek an apology. “Atishi, the former Delhi CM, spoke against the Sikh Gurus. Though it is now being claimed that the video was doctored, such cover-up tactics will not serve the purpose. She should be held responsible and must resign,” he said. Another SAD leader, Paropkar Singh Ghuman, said the maryada of the Akal Takht and the Sikh Gurus must be maintained at all costs. “Even if Bhagwant Mann is the Chief Minister of the state, it does not give him any right to spill liquor on photographs of the Gurus. He should apologise as Sikh sentiments have been hurt. Protests are being held across the state against the AAP government,” he said. Other leaders, including local party president Bhupinder Bhinda and Jagbir Singh Sokhi, also gathered and raised slogans against the AAP-run state government and Atishi. The leaders alleged that the present state government was tight-lipped over sacrilege issues in Punjab. They further claimed that the SAD leaders and supporters were being unnecessarily harassed by the government under “vendetta politics”. Grewal condemned the alleged harassment of a local chartered accountant who reportedly held records related to SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal. “On the night of January 8, police personnel were sent to the premises of the CA and pressure was mounted to obtain records of the SAD president. It is nothing but vendetta politics against the SAD,” he said. Five members of drug smuggling gang nabbed, 4.2-kg heroin seized that they had been supplying a large quantity of heroin to Harshdeep and Prabhjot for a long time. Both suspects were also named in the already registered FIR. Later, they were arrested. The suspects also confessed that they were also involved in drug supply work in Mohali, Kharar, Ludhiana, Samrala and Khanna for a long time. In-depth interrogation of the suspects was going on and more important revelations were expected. Later, Gurtej was also arrested in the case. The police said Jashanpreet and Gurtej had a criminal past as a case of immigration fraud at Haryana and a case under the Arms Act at Kharar was registered against the suspects, respectively, in the past. The police said besides, nine other drug peddlers were arrested by the Khanna police in separate incidents and 245 gm of heroin was recovered from them. Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 10 The Khanna police claimed to have busted a major drug smuggling racket and arrested five of its members. The police also recovered 4.20 kg of heroin from the possession of two of the suspects. Nine land in police net in other drug cases The suspects were identified as Jashanpreet Singh (24), resident of Bhairupa, Bathinda, Angrej Singh (24) of Keedi Botal, Tarn Taran, Harshdeep Singh (22) of Diwala village, Samrala, Prabhjot Singh (19), alias Prabh, a resident of Katani Khurd, here, and Gurtej Singh of Mohali. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Khanna, Jyoti Yadav Bains, while addressing a press conference stated that on January 6, subinspector Narpinderpal Cops address mediapersons in Ludhiana on Saturday. Singh, in-charge CIA, Khanna, received special information that Jashanpreet and Angrej, who were involved in drug trade, were carrying a large quantity of heroin from Ferozepur via Ludhiana to Chandigarh. Acting on the tip-off, the police registered a case under the NDPS Act and set up a naka at a point near Samrala. A Hyundai Venue vehicle (bearing registration number PB03BQ8005) was intercepted in which two youths were sitting. The SSP said a police team stopped the car and identified both occupants as Jashanpreet and Angrej. During the search of the vehicle, 4.20 kg of heroin was recovered. The suspects were arrested by the police. Bains revealed that during investigation, it was found SAD leaders and workers protest in Ludhiana on Saturday. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN City to get Sadan Bhawan, Guest House, tenders to be floated soon Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 10 The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has approved two major proposals during its recent General House meeting, paving the way for significant civic infrastructure development in the city. The first project involves the construction of a Sadan Bhawan (civic centre) on Hambran Road, at an estimated cost of Rs 22 crore and a guest house, near Rose Garden, at the cost of Rs 76 lakh. The Sadan Bhawan building will house a modern meeting hall where review meetings, workshops and MC has approved major proposals during recent House meeting interaction programmes can be organised. It will also include guest rooms for visiting officials and experts associated with municipal projects, along with a citizen service centre that will provide multiple municipal services under one roof, saving residents from the hassles of visiting different offices for routine tasks. Adequate parking arrangements and a canteen had also been planned. Officials said the project gained momentum due to World Bank-supported programmes and received timely approval from the Local Bodies Department, with the tendering process expected to begin soon. The second proposal focuses on converting a house near Rose Garden, formerly occupied by MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, into a guest house. The facility will have six to seven fully air-conditioned rooms, dining facilities and a canteen, making it convenient for government officials visiting the city. continued on page 2 State players clinch overall trophy at National School Games Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 10 The National School Games, which were being held at various sports grounds in the city, concluded on Saturday, leaving behind unforgettable memories. Excel in all three sports disciplines State players dominated the event, winning the overall trophy across three sports disciplines. To mark the conclusion of the games, a cultural programme was organised at Government Smart School, PAU, Ludhiana, which was enjoyed by participants from various states. The prize distribution will be conducted by the Education Secretary of Punjab, Anindita Mitra, at the PAU Open Air Theatre on January 11. Results Judo (U-14) — Boys (25kg): Abhishek Saini (Rajasthan) gold, Aditya (Punjab) silver and Krishna Shlok Katkar (Karnataka) and Yash (Haryana) bronze; Girls (23kg): Ridhama (Punjab) gold, Ishita (Karnataka) silver, Jinu Adel Alias (Kerala) and Gunjan (Navodaya Vidyalaya School) bronze. Tae kwon do (U-14) — Girls (24kg): Mandeep Kaur (Punjab) gold, Shivangi Baruah (CBSE) silver and Manshi Sharma (CISCE) and Ananya (Tamil Nadu) bronze; Girls (26kg): Harshita (Haryana) gold, Swethaslaja S (Tamil Nadu) silver and Upasana (Punjab) and Arya Manak Hole (Maharashtra) bronze. Gatka (U-19 Boys) — Team event (farri-soti): Punjab gold, Chandigarh silver and Delhi bronze; Team event (single soti): Punjab gold, Delhi silver and Jammu and Kashmir bronze; Individual (farri-soti): Jammu and Kashmir gold, Madhya Pradesh silver and Jharkhand bronze; Individual (single soti): Punjab gold, Delhi silver and Chhattisgarh bronze. Players in action during a gatka event during the National School Games in Ludhiana. c m y b ASHWANI DHIMAN Ludhiana, January 10 A luxury car rental showroom located in Baddowal near Mullanpur, opposite the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) camp on the Ludhiana–Ferozepur highway, was targeted by unidentified armed miscreants who opened fire in broad daylight on Saturday. Showroom rents luxury cars for marriage or other purposes. It houses high-end vehicles, including models of Mercedes Benz, Range Rover, Rolls Royce, Defender, Mustang. According to the police, two suspects riding a motorcycle reached the Royal Limo’s showroom around 10.30 am and one of them fired seven to eight rounds. Several bullets struck the front windshields of luxury vehicles parked on its premises while others hit the main entrance door, causing damages. After the firing, the assailants fled the scene, leaving two slips bearing the names of alleged gangsters Pawan Shaukeen and Mohabbat Randhawa. The slips and bullet shells SAD holds protest over Delhi ex-CM’s remarks on Sikh Gurus